News

First Justice Jeffrey Winik of the Eastern Division of the Housing Court spoke at MassLandlords Cambridge on Tuesday June 19, 2018. These notes were taken at the time and were not published previously but are still highly relevant. Any errors or omissions are MassLandlords’ own. Judge Winik was accompanied by…

Landlords experienced in DIY taxes may not be aware that in 2013 and again in 2016 the IRS issued new guidance that permits expensing of items under a de minimis dollar amount, even if the regulations otherwise require depreciating those items. Depreciation vs Deduction Section 162 of the Internal Revenue…

Last month we defined our idea of market certification for owners and managers, and also filed a record number of bills for housing. The market certification will start modestly. By the end of this year, a prospective renter will be able to look up an address on MassLandlords.net and verify…

In February, MassLandlords started offering new and existing members “Helpline” access for legal information, business advice, and personalized attorney referrals. By purchasing the Helpline once, member businesses can designate one point of contact to talk to MassLandlords staff counselors on any issue, any number of times, any number of issues…

In a glowing story published by the Telegram and Gazette on January 12, MassLandlords Director Emeritus Mike O’Rourke was praised for cleaning up the infamous Albion rooming house in downtown Worcester. Mike’s ownership began September 2016. Prior to his hands-on management, code violations, first responder calls, and opioid overdoses were…

In this new legislative session there are several bills that would, if enacted, further damage the ability of MassLandlords members to enter and remain in the rental-property market. Two of them are particularly dangerous. Please email/call your legislators and ask them to refuse to co-sponsor these bills. To find your…

Last November, with the case still pending as of February 2019, Airbnb sued the City of Boston in federal court for the city’s June 2018 ban on most short-term rentals. Airbnb has taken a needed action, as the ban considered none of the serious and credible objections raised by owners…

All business owners other than corporations, including landlords, are now able to take the Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction, also known as the Section 199A Deduction. Starting with tax year 2018, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, passed into law December 22, 2017, reduced rates for corporate and…

Last month we defined our idea of market certification for owners and managers, and also filed a record number of bills for housing. The market certification will start modestly. By the end of this year, a prospective renter will be able to look up an address on MassLandlords.net and verify…

The year 2018 will probably be remembered differently for landlords versus renters. Housing was in short supply relative to demand, rents were high, and applications were competitive. Appraised values were way up, interest rates were still low, and many renovations and upgrades were completed. It’s interesting to think, if we…